Kendra Harms

Tell me a little about your background?

I graduated from high school in three years then went on to attend college at the University of Missouri, where I also graduated in three years with a Bachelor of Health Science and a Certificate in Sales and Customer Development. I graduated Magna Cum Laude and many of the courses I took were pre-reqs for Medical School. Throughout college, I was a sales representative for Crave Boutique and completed a 300-hour sales internship at Mike Keith Insurance. I also worked as a seasonal server at Lake of the Ozarks in the summer. While at Mizzou, I volunteered at the hospital and was a member of Gamma Phi Beta.

Why were you interested in Medical Sales? What drew you to this industry?

Throughout high school, I wanted to be an Anesthesiologist. While job shadowing an Anesthesiologist during a knee replacement, a medical sales representative was in the surgery. I started talking to him and immediately became extremely interested in the profession. It combined my passion for science with sales and working with people-which I both love.

How long did you try to get into the industry? What was that experience like?

I knew I was going to the Medical Sales College since my sophomore year of college. During my final year of college, I applied to various positions before I left for MSC but did not hear back for an interview from a single one-besides the enormous amount of rejection emails.

How did you learn about Medical Sales College?

I learned about the Medical Sales College 3 years ago by googling "the best way to get into medical sales." After that, I networked with people on LinkedIn and Facebook that had went to the college and asked about their experiences. With 9 out of 10 of those I contacted being placed, I decided it was the BEST/ONLY option for someone wanting to immediately break into medical sales out of college instead of working B2B sales for two years before.

Did you have any fears about attending the School? What were they?

My one fear of attending the school was not being placed. Since I was a recent graduate of college and had no B2B sales, I KNEW it would be harder for me. I also knew that it was my only option so I decided to take the leap and go for it! I knew even if I didn't get placed and had to work b2b sales for two years regardless, my time and knowledge acquired from MSC would still be valuable and place me above competition.

What ultimately made you decide to attend the College?

I ultimately decided to attend the college because it was my best shot at getting a career in medical sales right out of college. One thing I knew for sure-when applying having MSC on my resume would allow me to compete with candidates with B2B experience because I had something somewhat equivalent. It proved to be true. Before when I applied and did not have MSC on my resume, I only got rejections. With MSC on my resume-I got MULTIPLE interviews.

Describe your experience once you began training with Medical Sales College.

My experience was right off the bat we were learning. There were so many things I learned THE FIRST DAY that I would not have known beforehand. I'm honestly thankful I never got an interview for a medical sales position before MSC because I really knew NOTHING about the profession like I thought I did. The training is rigorous and tiring, exactly like medical sales is. Everything you learn is extremely crucial and I value everything I learned at MSC.

Explain what your interview process was like.

So, my interview process was extremely long. The week after I left MSC I had my first interview with a major company (Stryker). I was in that process for a month and a half. I was in a lot of large companies’ interview processes and smaller companies processes and always made it to the ending rounds but the position was always given to someone with more experience or the ones I was offered weren't the right fit for me. Until Mölnlycke Health Care, I had had my eyes on the ASR role and had applied but never heard back. I went to LinkedIn, and messaged someone who worked for them in the area I was applying. He immediately replied and sent me the regional manager’s information. She emailed me and two days later I had a screening with the recruiter. Then I had a phone interview with the regional manager I had emailed back and forth with. After that, I had another phone interview with the regional manager's boss. Next, they flew me to Denver, CO to do a ride along with the ASR rep from the Rocky Mountain Region and a Wound Care Specialist. They took me to lunch then we visited hospital accounts and completed an in-service. I flew back that night, and the next day I had my final interview with the regional manager. There I was offered the position! (This was such a FAST process- it happened within 2 weeks!)

What from your training did you specifically use during the interview process that ultimately helped you land your position?

For the position I was hired for, it was me attending MSC and the dedication it showed, and of my commitment to landing a job in the medical sales industry. My knowledge of products, major medical device companies, hospitals personnel, and overall experience from college, MSC, and volunteering that landed me the job.

What is your current job like?

(I have not started yet..but) My current role is as an associate sales representative for turning and positioning. However, my regional manager is having me learn all three product categories (wound, surgical, t&p) so after my two years in an associate role is up I am able to apply to sales rep roles in any category. I am a support member to every rep in the Central Region. I travel 75% and help conduct in-services and clinical trials. I also try to up-sell current accounts. I do anything/everything my central region reps need help doing!

Why should someone attend the Medical Sales College if they want this career?

If you are serious about landing a career in the Medical Sales world, MSC is your best option. The knowledge MSC's programs provide you with is invaluable and their enormous amount of connections to medical sales companies makes the odds of you landing a job in your favor. Companies respect the college and admire the time and transferable knowledge that you acquired while there, and that will be used in a medical sales position.